No Drama

Jordan Clarkson, Pilipinas # 6
(Photo courtesy of Rappler.com)

Save for the pre-Asian Games run wherein it really felt like boardroom nerds just had to get themselves in the limelight somehow, this current edition and run of the Philippines' men's basketball team is exactly how we want our team: no frills, no TV specials (until after the job is done) and definitely no other name or brand but PILIPINAS shining through.

A no frills coach who surprisingly has been off-television character, saying all the right things and keeping most of his thoughts to himself. A team that has been forged by fire, reinforced by players with no hidden agendas (like a wishful thinking of maybe there are NBA scouts watching and that this could be their shot at the big time). And the whole PBA, suddenly in unison after their dirty laundry was brought out in the open (by design or not), united for a cause.

So please forgive us, SMART, Chooks-to-go, and whichever brand wants to be plastered on the jerseys.


And thank you, Rain or Shine, for keeping your logos on the practice shirts and nowhere near the jerseys (or towels even).

Two games into the Asian Games and we are sitting pretty with a 1-1 record, already assured of a quarterfinals showdown with erstwhile tormentors Korea on August 27. Our first victory came via a royal trashing of Kazakhstan, which we all deemed to be a formidable foe given their improved play and how our last Philippine emissaries fared against them. We basically blew them out of the water, with shots coming in from all angles, peak Yeng Guiao-Rain or Shine style.

Asi Taulava knocked in a three.

And we didn't even have Jordan Clarkson in that one.

In the second game, a loss to powerhouse China, we fared even better overall. We lost 80-82, but could've won had Paul Lee's heroic three ball attempt gone in (which was under duress but the guy's just so crafty that he was able to get himself open for a split second with the downside being he had to rush the shot a bit).

We had Clarkson in this one. And yes, he made us better. His mere presence forced the Chinese to alter their game plan and extend their defense to cover Clarkson. Sure, the NBAer kept running into double teams, but mind you that this was his first game internationally and even more, first time to face a zone defense.

We lost, but there was no reason for panic. No rants on social media. No excuses. No referees to blame. There was a local sports figure who questioned the free throw discrepancy, but the actual head coach and those within the team didn't dwell on that any longer. He didn't bow his head. He didn't give excuses to wanting reporters. He didn't question Lee's last ditch effort. Or Clarkson's foul. Or Pringle's late game turnover.

We fought well. We lost. And that's enough. No drama. Time to move on to Korea.

If only we could have this kind of atmosphere moving forward, with PBA teams playing nice and marketing agendas and propagandas of certain individuals kept under control (or under the radar). We'll have Guiao back for the next two FIBA Asia World Cup tourneys. Hopefully, as reported and rumored, he has free hand on choosing and assembling his team the way he sees fit.

There's no shame in losing 80-82 to China. A loss in the battlefield doesn't always mean that we have lost the war.

Now I just need Clarkson/ Norwood to dunk on Ratliffe (and Philipines to win) and we'll all be straight.

P.S.

Author's note:

I missed you all, too.